A FASCINATING renewal of the Aintree Hurdle has it all. Rising stars, established class acts and Mr Nearly horses.

Nicky Henderson’s Oscar Whisky bids for a third successive victory in this race, but was pulled up lame at Cheltenham and he’s not for me.

COUNTRYWIDE FLAME (3.05) has done nothing but improve, on the Flat and over hurdles, for John Quinn since joining him from Kevin Ryan in 2011.

He ran a career best when third (beaten just over 4 lengths) to Hurricane Fly at the Festival and is clear top-rated today on 168.

The five-year-old certainly wasn’t lacking stamina when he ran away from Hisaabaat in last year’s Triumph and the excellent Denis O’Regan can draw the finishing sting out of some of his allegedly speedier rivals.

Today’s track and trip should be right up his street and trainer Quinn said: “We were delighted with him at Cheltenham and he has come out of the race well.

“He likes the track and he’s in good form, so I expect a good run out of him. He was second in the Cesarewitch over two mile two on the Flat and wasn’t stopping.”

Alan King’s L’UNIQUE (2.00) has a bit to find with her opposition today but she has been looked after and the course and distance winner can repay her trainer’s patience with a big performance.

SILVINIACO CONTI (2.30) was running a massive race when coming down at the third last in the Gold Cup. It’s a long way home from there, but Ruby still hadn’t gone for the persuader.

Rated seven pounds clear of First Lieutenant, the Nicholls horse acts round here and should hose up if over his exertions.

Let’s hope they all come back safe in the Foxhunters, with Mrs Browne’s BOLD ADDITION (3.40) leading them home. He has the right profile and with a bit of luck, should give us a wee thrill.

SILVER ROQUE (4.15) has come on a ton since joining Fergal O’Brien in the autumn from Hen Knight. Well, about 20lb to be more accurate. And there should be more to come from Lord Vestey’s gelding.

He looked a horse to keep on side when winning at Newbury and he’ll relish decent ground.

CAPTAIN CONAN (4.50) ran his heart out in the Jewson, bang there at the last but failing to get home up THAT hill behind Tony Martin’s Benefficient and dropping several places. No such worries at Aintree and he can put it up to Ditcheat’s Fago in an open Grade 1.

JETSON (5.25) was the not-so-dark horse for many of the Irish at Cheltenham and he ran well to be third in the Pertemps when outpaced down the hill. Robbie Power may have given him a little too much to do and interesting that McCoy takes over today.